Woman Attacked In Southampton

Detectives in Bitterne are appealing to late night pub and club-goers for information after a Southampton woman was grabbed as she made her way to a city club.

The 22-year-old local woman was walking along Bath Street to the Unit nightclub at 12.20am on Friday, October 22 when she realised someone was following her.

She continued walking, turning right into Southcliff Road and into Cranbury Place.

The woman had just passed the YMCA building and was approaching Lyon Street when the man grabbed her by the shoulder and twisted her round so she was facing him.

He then pushed her backwards onto the ground before trying to pull her leggings down.

The woman kicked the man and started screaming to fight him off and he ran away.

The suspect is described as: white, chunky build, approx 5ft 9- 5ft10 ins tall, approximately 30-years-old. He was wearing a blue/grey hooded jumper and blue/grey tracksuit bottoms. During the incident he had his hood pulled up over his
head.

A cordon remains in place this morning at the junction of Lyon Street with Dorset Street, while detectives carry out further enquiries, including house to house.

Det Sgt Stuart Barton of Bitterne CID, said:

“The victim was extremely frightened and shaken after this ordeal and thankfully she managed to scare this man off by kicking and screaming.

“There would have been a few people making their way to or from the club at this time of the morning and I’m keen to hear from anyone who may have seen this man hanging around the area.

“Also, if you live in Lyon Street or any of the surrounding roads and haven’t yet spoken to the police and witnessed this attack then please contact us.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Bitterne CID on 101 or anonymously via the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111..